Joy Ebinemiere Bokiri of Nigeria celebrates scoring a goal during the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Group B match between Nigeria and Canada at Bava Park on November 16, 2016 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. PHOTO: Ian Walton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty

Ahead of Nigeria’s final group phase match, Coach Peter Dedevbo has declared that his girls need to toughen up for the battle against Spain.

As a reward for a courageous performance against Canada, in which the girls came from behind to win 3-1, the players were given a rest day on Thursday. In place of the normal training sessions, the Falconets were allowed to swim for one hour. While banking on divine intervention for victory against the Spaniards, Dedevbo says he will embark on a total make over for the all-important encounter tomorrow.

“After every game, we go back to x-ray our areas of weakness and strength. The match against Canada was very challenging but I am happy with the eventual outcome. To progress in this tournament, we need to toughen up for the last match against Spain and I believe that God will grant us success.

“We are going to work on all the departments of the team from defence to attack. The fact that we defeated Canada does not imply that the team is hundred percent compact.

“I am proud of how the girls were able to come from behind to win the match. Spain no doubt is a good team, they defeated Japan, a team that scored six goals against us, which means that we must step up our game.”

The Falconets confront group leaders Spain tomorrow (starting from 7am Nigeria time). Nigeria needs to win while hoping that Japan does not get a win against Canada in the other match of Group B.